11 miles of hiking • 3500' elevation gain •
Went out to Saddle Mountain to meet up with some friends, but wanted more of a workout....and since there aren't other mountains within reasonable driving distance (the hour drive from Kings was too far), I just did it twice. Pretty foggy early in the morning - couldn't see more than 100 yards away. But on the second run the fog and clouds had burned off and could see Adams, Helens, Rainier, Hood, but didn't spot Jeff - some clouds still hovering in the way. Parts of the trail towards the middle were pretty wet and muddy, and the chainlinks that have been put down make it slippery...but maybe it's better than loose rock and dirt. Doesn't make for a scenic trail though. Flowers weren't out as much as I had hoped, but there is an array - monkey face, irises, phlox, columbine, indian paintbrush, larkspur, etc. This was my first visit to Saddle -- glad to have gone, won't be in a rush for another visit.
